The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Mossel Bay responded to a fatal drowning at Kleinbrak Beach (Littlebrak Beach) on Christmas Day.
NSRI lifeguards were testing the water for rip currents and checking where sandbanks had formed in the surf line to establish safer swimming areas when they saw a man running towards the lifeguard tower from further down the beach.
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Noticing some activity, the lifeguards proceeded towards the man. As they approached, they observed a group of individuals further down the beach carrying a man out of the surf and onto the shore.
The alarm was raised and NSRI lifeguards were dispatched, geared with AED, oxygen and medical equipment.
NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew and the NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) were alerted.
On arrival at the scene, it was found that the 66-year-old local male had been in difficulty in the water and he had been rescued from the water by his friend, also a local, who described to NSRI how she had managed to swim the man to the beach even though he was lifeless in the water.
WC Government Health EMS, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue services, ER24 ambulance services and the SA Police Services were activated when it was determined that the man had no pulse or breathing.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts were commenced by NSRI lifeguards. They were joined by WC Government Health EMS paramedics.
After extensive efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, he was declared deceased.
The body was taken into the care of government forensic pathology services, and SAPS has opened an inquest docket.
It appears that the man and his friend had been swimming together when they may have been caught in rip currents.Also read:
NSRI issues a safety alert ahead of the spring tide peak on 27 December
Picture: Jess Loiterton / Pexels
